Design/Development Engineer III (aka Sr. RF Systems Engineer) - Hybrid Optional

Shaping the future through innovation and discovery!

With a history spanning more than seven decades, Communications & Power Industries’ thousands of products have impacted people’s lives in numerous unseen ways every day. Our highly engineered products serve as the backbone of modern-day commercial and military communications systems, aid in the treatment of cancer, assist in diagnosing medical conditions, support and protect soldiers, sailors, and pilots, empower scientific discoveries and space exploration, help ensure the safety of imported foods and materials, and much more.

CPI is headquartered in Palo Alto, California and is a global manufacturer of electronic components and subsystems. We have manufacturing locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. With a heritage of technological excellence, our team serves customers in the communications, defense, medical, industrial, and scientific markets.

YOUR DAY TO DAY

The Design Developer Engineer III will work closely with engineers from other disciplines including servo, software, mechanical, production, and test personnel. This position is responsible for designing multiple types of ground-based antenna systems. These systems are used for specific commercial and government applications domestically as well as internationally. The candidate will have the opportunity to be a key contributor in developing satellite communication Earth stations, radio telescopes, deep space communications systems, and programs designed to help protect our national interests. This opportunity provides you with the ability to work with a small, focused team of highly experienced engineers and managers.

YOU WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR:

• Design, develop, and analyze RF systems for satellite communications.
• Generate RF system block diagrams, perform link budgets, generate cascade performance analyses through frequency conversion.
• Work with Engineering team to understand customer requirements and flow them down to determine RF system design and individual component performance.
• Produce technical specifications for components in the RF system such as amplifiers, frequency converters, line drivers, etc. Evaluate vendor capability to support product development.
• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines to successfully implement full antenna system design.
• Produce proposal responses for large aperture Earth station antenna systems including generation of system specification, budgets, and design documentation.
• Test RF components and perform end-to-end systems tests; generate test plans and procedures, test reports, and training manuals. Occasional testing at site.
• Generate engineering documentation including Bills of Materials (BOMs), schematics, signal-level block diagrams, technical memos, design review material, and test verification documents to support program execution.
• Contribute inputs to mechanical design layout.
• Present briefings to management and customer.
• Support program execution and other Engineering department tasks as needed.

YOU ARE THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THIS JOB IF YOU HAVE:

This position requires potential access to technology controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The successful candidate must be a “U.S. Person” as defined under ITAR and EAR. In order to be a U.S. Person for ITAR and EAR purposes, you must be a citizen or national of the United States.

• Use and understanding of RF Systems Engineering programs, concepts, principles, and theories.
• An understanding of RF components including HPAs, LNAs, and frequency converters. An understanding of RF concepts such as AGC, noise figure, EIRP, phase noise, frequency plans, etc. Knowledge of full antenna systems operations is a plus.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite of programs
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills. Effective in communicating issues, impacts, and corrective actions.
• Ability to engage others and influence technical decisions.
• Creative thinking in order to determine most cost-effective solutions.
• Use of engineering tools such as AutoCAD, VISIO.
• Understanding of basic project/program execution principles
• Ability to multi-task.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Up to 20% domestic and international travel may be required.
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, or a related specialized area of RF communications is required.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge of large aperture antenna performance characteristics is a plus.
• Knowledge of antenna feed systems and microwave feed components is a plus.

Salary range: $125000 - $145000 annually

WHAT WE OFFER:

Whether you are a seasoned professional or just embarking on your career, CPI is an ideal place to expand your knowledge and expertise. We cultivate a healthy, dynamic, and team-oriented environment that empowers our employees to develop, create and deliver innovative, reliable technology solutions to power, connect, protect, and support a better tomorrow.

We offer our employees an attractive compensation package with competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including health and wellness programs, career development, generous retirement savings plan with company match and more!

WHO WE ARE:

We value the unique and diverse skills, qualities, and backgrounds that each employee brings to CPI, and we respect each employee as an integral member of our growing team. CPI is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all current and prospective employees, as well as to promoting a culture of inclusion and respect for everyone. We celebrate the innovation that diversity creates in the work environment, and we recognize that each employee brings their own unique capabilities, experiences, and perspectives to the organization. It is this variety that adds value to our teams, as well as to our stakeholders. We welcome and encourage applicants to reach their full potential with us.

CPI is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics.